Foot Care in Diabetes

As the sensations of pain and temperature are diminished in feet due to involvement of nerves in diabetes and one should be very careful. If there is some cut or ulcer due to shoe bite Diabetic patient will notice it very late.

Each day, set aside a regular time (such as after bathing) to inspect your feet. Check between your toes as well as all the sides for blisters, cuts, scratches, cracks, corns, and calluses. Examine the balls of your feet for dryness and broken skin. During examination, look or feel for warts and ingeowth toe nails.

If you notice anything unusual-particularly sores, redness, or infection-see your doctor at once.

Foot Care Do's

• Keep feet clean, warm and dry.
• Wash (Don't soak) feet daily with warm (not hot) water. Use mild hand soap; rinse well.
• Dry feet thoroughly, especially between toes.
• Powder feet and shoes after bathing.
• Use mild lubricating lotion in small amounts and massage well (between toes).
• Trim toe nails straight across; file with emery board. Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes (leather is best). Break in new shoes gradually.
• Inspect shoes for objects, torn lining, rough spots which can injure feet.
• Wear clean socks everyday.
• Check socks or stockings for drainage or unusual odour. Wear loose-fitting socks to bed if needed to protect from cold.

For proper foot care, what you don't do is sometimes just as important as what you do. Here are some general "to-dos" that, with daily attention, will become second nature.

• Wash feet with water and soap
• Cut nails properly
• Use clean and proper size socks arid stockings
• Clean the area between two toes
• Use moisture for skin
• Keep your foot dry and warm
• Don't walk bare footed in home or outside
• Use proper size shoes

Foot Care Don'ts

• Avoid exposure of feet to extremes of hot and cold. Never keep feet too moist or too dry.
• Don't pull off or cut loose pieces of skin.
• Never cut thick toe nails, corns, or calluses. Rely on a foot specialist.
• Avoid chemicals for corns or callus removal.
• Don't use hot foot soaks, heating pads, or hot-water bottles.
• Don't use perfumed lotions.
• Don't use adhesive tape on skin.
• Don't wear shoes without stockings or socks.
• Avoid open-toed shoes, particularly sandals with thongs between toes.
• Don't wear socks with holes.
• Don't walk barefoot, even indoors.
• Never go without shoes around a swimming pool or hot beach.
• Avoid sitting with legs crossed.
• Never walk on an injured foot.